Minnesota is 2-0 after beating Orlando 115-93, and the Magic never held a lead. Five numbers explain how the Timberwolves got here, and each one has a limit.
Never Behind
The first number is 26, the biggest lead Minnesota held in Orlando. The Magic's biggest lead was 0, and the game had no lead changes. The Timberwolves also strung together runs of 9-0, 8-0, 10-0 and 12-0, and the last of those turned a 69-57 game into 81-57 in the third quarter. That says the team can break a game open in bursts. It does not say it can do so against opponents healthier than Orlando.
Cold Stars, Warm Floor
Anthony Edwards shot 5-of-23 and LaMelo Ball shot 4-of-13, so the two combined for 9 makes on 36 attempts. Minnesota still won by 22 and Edwards finished plus 19. Jon Krawczynski wrote in The Athletic that the Wolves were plus 16 on the boards, and ESPN pointed to the glass as well. The balance was real too: starters scored 67 points and the bench scored 45. That shows the defense and rebounding can cover for a bad shooting night. It does not show the offense is fixed, because 36 attempts for 9 makes is not sustainable.
Toronto Is Next
The Raptors arrive on October 25 for a game on NBA TV, also 2-0 under Darko Rajakovic. Last season Toronto went 46-36 with a net rating of 2.9, close to Minnesota's 3.1 in a 49-33 year. Scottie Barnes averaged 18.1 points and Kawhi Leonard 27.9 in 65 games. The Timberwolves carry a $215.3 million payroll, above the first apron and well past the $200.4 million tax line. That figure frames what the roster can still change. It says nothing about whether this team is better than Toronto, and only the next two weeks of games can answer that.
When do the Timberwolves play the Toronto Raptors?
The game is on October 25 at home, televised on NBA TV. Toronto is 2-0, the same as Minnesota.
How did the Timberwolves beat the Magic?
Minnesota won 115-93 and led by as many as 26 points. The Magic never led, and Edwards scored 15 points on 5-of-23 shooting.
